VistA Kernel and FileMan Specialist

Overview

TISTA is seeking a VistA Kernel and FileMan Specialist to support the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Supply Chain Management DevSecOps program. This role will partner with VA stakeholders and Agile delivery teams to translate business needs into clear, actionable requirements supporting supply chain and logistics solutions.

The VistA Kernel & FileMan Specialist is the VistA platform, configuration, and patch distribution authority for TISTA's prime contract performance on the Department of Veterans Affairs Supply Chain Management DevSecOps (SCMDSO) task order supporting VA's supply chain and logistics Product Line. Where the MUMPS Engineer / SME writes and remediates supply chain module code, this position owns the VistA foundation those modules run on: Kernel, FileMan, menu trees, security keys, institution and division configuration, TaskMan, parameters, and the FORUM and National Patch Module release process. The Specialist ensures that every legacy patch, table update, integration touchpoint, and site deprovisioning action is configured, distributed, and verified correctly across VistA instances without disrupting frontline logistics or clinical users.

At TISTA, you’ll do meaningful, mission‑driven work that improves lives alongside teammates you trust and leaders who are transparent and supportive. We invest in your learning and internal mobility so you can build a career that keeps advancing. We’re proud to serve and hire Veterans, and we put people first in everything we do.

TISTA associates enjoy above Industry Healthcare Benefits, Remote Working Options, Paid Time Off, Training/Certification opportunities, Healthcare Savings Account & Flexible Savings Account, Paid Life Insurance, Short-term & Long-term Disability, 401K Match, Tuition Reimbursement, Employee Assistance Program, Paid Holidays, Military Leave, and much more!

Responsibilities

• Administer and support VistA Kernel components (such as menus, security keys, and TaskMan) and FileMan data dictionaries while configuring RPC Broker and HL7 interfaces for system integrations.
• Manage the complete patch distribution lifecycle through FORUM and the National Patch Module, which includes building, verifying, and sequencing KIDS patches to prevent deployment collisions.
• Enable modern system coexistence by safely exposing VistA data for integration platforms, and securely manage legacy decommissioning by deprovisioning site access and archiving configurations.
• Enforce strict VA security standards (VA Handbook 6500) by managing least-privilege access, remediating vulnerability scans, and maintaining version control and regression tests for all changes.
• Actively participate in Agile/Scrum ceremonies by providing accurate effort estimates for project planning and supporting 90-day post-deployment hypercare, including after-hours escalation.
• Serve as the critical human-in-the-loop expert to review, validate, and correct AI-generated KIDS builds, regression tests, and configuration changes before they are deployed.
• Support business growth by identifying new modernization opportunities, contributing technical VistA expertise to proposals, and tracking delivery metrics for past performance narratives
• Mentor new developers and analysts on VistA concepts, conduct technical interviews for new hires, and build comprehensive training materials to strengthen the team's talent bench.
• Advance corporate thought leadership by creating reusable VistA runbooks and decommissioning playbooks, leading legacy modernization communities, and supporting quality audits like CMMI and ISO.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of hands-on experience administering VistA systems, focusing heavily on Kernel (user access, menus, TaskMan) and FileMan (data dictionaries, APIs).
• 3+ years managing patch workflows through FORUM and the National Patch Module, including building, testing, and tracking KIDS patch installations.
• Expertise in configuring VistA site parameters, RPC Broker, and HL7 interfaces to connect legacy VistA systems with modern external platforms.
• Deep knowledge of VA supply chain and logistics packages (such as IFCAP, GIP, and AEMS/MERS) and their specific integration points.
• Ability to read and write light MUMPS (M) and InterSystems ObjectScript to verify system builds, review code routines, and troubleshoot production issues.
• Experience managing legacy system coexistence and decommissioning, including securely exposing VistA data via REST/JSON and carefully deprovisioning local user access.
• Strong commitment to VA security standards (VA Handbook 6500), managing PIV-linked access, conducting security audits, and remediating vulnerabilities.
• Proficient in Agile/SAFe practices and tooling (Jira, ServiceNow, GitHub, Databricks) for issue tracking, configuration baselines, and data migration support.
• Highly preferred background includes coordinating national patch releases, integrating systems like Nuvolo and Oracle Health EHR, and validating AI-generated VistA builds with human-in-the-loop oversight.

Certifications:

• Completion of VA VistA Kernel and FileMan training, or equivalent documented VistA technical training.
• SAFe Practitioner (SP) or SAFe Agilist (SA).

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field, or equivalent additional years of VistA Kernel and FileMan experience.

Clearance:

• Tier 2 / Moderate Risk Background Investigation; ability to obtain a VA PIV credential.

Location:

• Rockville, MD / Remote (CONUS).
• Travel: Up to 10%.

Pay Range:

• The suggested pay for this position ranges from $128,00 to $143,000.
• The actual salary offer will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
• Also, certain positions are eligible for additional forms of compensation, such as bonuses
• TISTA associates are eligible to participate in our comprehensive benefits plan! More information can be found here: https://tistatech.com/working-at-tista/